. >> reporter: susan rice denied it, infuriating republicans. acting cia director mike morerel on the hill today briefed some lawmakers on libya. one, a democrat said the account backed rice, that u.s. intelligence did give her the incorrect account that she passed on. >> that this was a spontaneous protest that involved something militant. that was the best information. they said they had at the time. >> reporter: there had been earlier attacks in benghazi. house republicans hammered the administration reaction. >> the people back here in washington continue to deny additional security. and they continued to do away with security that was already there. >> reporter: democrats pushed back. >> to lay this at the doorstep of the president or the secretary of state or the united nations ambassador, you will find us ready and willing to resist to the teeth. >> reporter: a fight over a tragedy that could be calmed by david petraeus, who as cia director went to benghazi to investigate and will testify to congress tomorrow. petraeus may have quit in di